Gringo the Laurels

[morgaina]

Was listening to Fiona Ritchie on Thistle & Shamrock this evening. She said that "Green Grow the Laurels" was very first popular in Celtic lands, then became very popular in the Southern States and especially sung a lot in Texas. It was sung so much that the people singing it began to be refered to as uh..."Greengos".
She doesn't cite her documentation, so take it as it's worth but...heh heh heh heh

Comments

[hroar.livejournal.com]

that IS funny!

[mistresshuette.livejournal.com]

This was a filk song? Because the original song was "Green Grow the Lilacs".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Grow_the_Lilacs

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

So many songs were filks. I have "Green Grow the Rushes" in my mind as an earworm now.
hummm
"Gringo the Rushes"
"Gringo the Lilacs"

[mistresshuette.livejournal.com]

It was "Green Grow the Lilacs" which lead to the "Gringo" appellation.

"Green Grow the Rushes, Ho" is an entirely different song.

The twelfth, cumulated, verse runs:

I'll sing you twelve, Ho
Green grow the rushes, Ho
What are your twelve, Ho?
Twelve for the twelve Apostles,
Eleven for the eleven who went to heaven,
Ten for the ten commandments,
Nine for the nine bright shiners,
Eight for the eight bold Rangers,
Seven for the seven who went to Heaven,
Six for the six proud walkers,
Five for the symbols at your door,
Four for the Gospel makers,
Three, three, the rivals,
Two, two, the lily-white boys,
Clothèd all in green, Ho
One is one and all alone
And evermore shall be so.

The interesting thing for me is that I learned this song as a filk first, then as the original.
It was way back when I was in the Mythopoeic Society and this was done as "High Fly the Nazghuls Ho".

I'll sing you ten Ho,
High fly the Nazgûl Ho!
What is your ten Ho?

Ten for the battles of the Ring
Nine for the Nine White Riders
Eight for the eight Aratar
Seven for the Dwarf-lords' magic rings
Six for the six Names of the King
Five for the Wizards from the West
Four for the Hobbits on the Quest
Three, three the Elven rings
Two, two, the watchful Towers, guarding over Mordor O!
One for the One Ring, Lord of all, that was destroyed by Frodo!

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Yes, I am very, very aware of the song. Thus the wretched earworm I wrote of earlier.